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Do I need a
visa to go to India?
| Yes, all foreigners except for nationals of Nepal, Bhutan
and Maldives, need a visa to enter India. With regard to Maldives'
nationals, a visa is required if intended stay in India would be longer than 90
days.
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Can I get a
visa on arrival to enter India?
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No, you must obtain a visa before taking a flight to India. You cannot obtain a
visa on arrival in India, and immigration authorities will not permit
any foreigner to enter the country.
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I want to visit
India for tourism/to attend a friend's marriage/ to meet my friends. Which visa
should I apply for?
| You should apply for a tourist visa which is normally
valid for multiple entries and a maximum stay of six months in India. Note that
the tourist visa is non-extendable and cannot be converted into any other type
of visa.
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I am a foreign
passport holder now, Could I apply for 1 year or more tourist visa?
| Persons of Indian origin can get a tourist visa valid for 6
months, how ever they can apply for a 1 year or more visitors visa.
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I travel to
India frequently for business meetings/to explore opportunities for
partnerships with Indian companies. Which visa should I apply for?
| You may apply for a business visa valid for multiple
entries for either six months or one year along with the requisite documents as
per the checklist. Kindly note that a Business Visa does not permit you to work
in India. In case you wish to work in India, you should apply for an Employment
Visa.
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I am a Canadian
national and I go for one or two months every year for tourism. Which visa
should I apply for?
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You can only apply for 6 month Tourist visas that enables unlimited visits to
India during the period of validity of visa. This visa is non-extendable from
India.
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Could my
tourist visa be extended while in India.
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No, you need to apply for a fresh visa an at any Indian mission/ post outside
India, and allow processing time of 5- 7 days.
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I will be
changing flights/airports in India to travel to my final destination (say
Nepal, Thailand etc.) Do I need a visa to change flights/airport terminals?
| You need to apply for a transit visa if you are going to
change from an international terminal to a domestic terminal of any Indian
airport or if you are going to stay in an airport hotel even for a few hours.
You don't need a transit visa if you stay in the waiting area reserved for
international transit passengers in an Indian airport. Note that you can stay
for a maximum period of 72 hours in India on a transit visa. You should have a
confirmed air ticket for the onward journey.
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I have to
participate in a Conference/Seminar/Workshop in India. Which visa should I
apply for?
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You should apply for a Conference Visa to enable you to participate in
the Conference/Seminar/ Workshop along with invitation letter, details of the
Conference etc. Clearance from competent authority from India is required.
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I will travel
at a much later date could my visa be issued to coincide with the date of
travel?
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No, post dated visa's are not issued. The validity of the visa begins from the
date of issue only.
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I have to go
for internship/training in a university/institute/company in India for a short
period. Which visa should I apply for?
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You should apply for an entry visa along with a copy of the offer letter
stating the terms of internship. You may also be required to submit a copy of
the inter-university student exchange agreement if the proposed internship is a
component of such an agreement. You would be required to submit proof of
financial standing to support your stay in India. If you receive any monetary
compensation/salary from the Indian organisation, you will have to apply for a
business visa.
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I will be going
to India for work/employment along with my family. Which visa should I apply
for? Would my children be able to study in India?
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You must apply for an employment visa along with the requisite documents. Once
your visa application is approved, your wife and children may apply for entry
visas in case they are accompanying you on your stay in India. Your children
will be able to secure admission in schools/colleges in India once they have
been granted entry visas. Kindly note that you have to undergo mandatory
registration formalities at the nearest office of the FRRO/FRO within 14
days of your arrival in India if you are planning to stay in the country for a
period longer than 180 days.
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I will be
studying in India for one semester/trimester in an IIT/IIM/IISc/Indian
university. Which visa should I apply for?
| You should apply for a student visa along with a copy of the
letter from the institute/university confirming your acceptance as a student.
You would also be required to submit proof of financial standing to support
your stay in India. |
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I have to
travel to India on an emergency. Is there any extra charge for the same?
| Visas are granted on holidays and after service hours in case of
a genuine emergency like death or medical emergency subject to production of
sufficient documentary proof. The decision of the Consular officer in this
regard shall be final. Please note a tourist visa cannot be applied for under
emergency procedure.
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I had applied
for a visa for India but I have changed my mind about visiting the country. Can
I claim a refund of the visa fee?
| Visa fees are non-refundable once the visa application is
accepted and cannot be refunded even if the visa is refused/not granted.
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Do I need a
visa for my pet who is accompanying me on my visit to India?
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Visa is not required for taking a pet to India but certain customs and
vaccination-related regulations have to be complied with. Kindly consult your
airline/travel agent for details of these regulations and necessary
documentation to facilitate the visit.
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My application
and passport have been submitted and it has been a while, how can I enquire
about the status of my application?
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You can trace your application on line by visiting our website
http:// in.vfsglobal.ca or by calling our helpline Mondays to Saturday
between 0830 hrs to 1430 hrs.
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Can I study in
India?
| Yes. With a valid student visa.
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Can I work in
India?
| Yes. With a valid employment visa.
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How do I know
when my passport is ready for collection from the Indian Consular Services in
Canada?
| Please track your passport either by logging on http://
in.vfsglobal.ca you can also call our helpline number to check the status of
your passport.
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Can I collect
my passport from the High Commission of India, Ottawa or the Consulate General
in Toronto and Vancouver?
| No. You have to collect your passport from the Indian Consular
Services in Canada where you made the application.
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Do I have to
submit my passport and visa application with the India Consular Services only?
| Yes, However Diplomats and officials of foreign diplomatic
Mission, UN and other international organization personnel, Canadian government
official holding diplomatic/ official passport must submit their visa
application directly to the Consulate or High Commission of India.
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How do I pay
for the visa and service charges?
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Will I be
allowed to carry liquor to India?
| Yes. But if you are traveling to Gujarat, you will have to apply
for a liquor permit on arrival in Gujarat . Please check with your airline for
other restrictions on alcohol.
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I have been
issued a six month visa, can I say in India after 6 months after my arrival?
| Period of stay is not reckoned from the date of your entry in
India but from the date of issue of visa.
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Do all the
applicants need to be present at the time of submitting an application?
|
Yes, all applicants must be present unless it is an immediate family member for
example a husband can submit an application on behalf of his wife or vice
versa, and a parent can submit an application on behalf of their children as
long as the children are minors. However a colleague, travel agent, or friend,
cannot submit an application on your behalf.
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Will the visa
and service fee courier service fees be refunded?
| No refunds. Fees once received would not be refunded, even if the
application is withdrawn or service denied.
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I wish to
visit certain areas in India like Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal
Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland etc. Can I obtain a visa to visit these areas?
|
A tourist visa is not sufficient to visit these areas because all of
these regions in India are restricted/protected areas for which it is necessary
to obtain a Restricted/ Protected Area Permit (RAP/PAP). This permit can be
obtained in India either from the Ministry of Home Affairs or FRRO concerned
after entering India with a tourist visa. You can visit certain open areas in
Sikkim for a maximum period of 15 days in case you request a 'special
endorsement for Sikkim' at the time of applying for your tourist visa. |
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